52
Metascore
34 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75Portland OregonianShawn LevyPortland OregonianShawn LevyThe highlights are the writing and the performances. There are real laughs to be had -- several scenes end on sharp, witty shards of dialogue. And whenever Eckhart, Northam or Ehle is the focus, the thing soars.
- 75ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliCompelling material, especially for those who believe that the lives and loves of the dead can impact the trajectory of the existences of the living.
- 70Wall Street JournalWall Street JournalA romance, a detective story, a comedy and a fable. Such a mishmash prevents it from being a standout in any of those categories. -- It's lovely to look at, though, and it's ultimately carried to success on the back of a strong story.
- 63New York Daily NewsJami BernardNew York Daily NewsJami BernardWhat Possession reminds us more than anything is that love is more exotic at the safe remove of history. The irony is that LaBute is more at home chronicling the present, yet that's where this movie falls apart.
- 63Miami HeraldConnie OgleMiami HeraldConnie OgleIt is entertaining enough to send intelligent viewers (but only the intelligent ones) in search of the book.
- 50Austin ChronicleKimberley JonesAustin ChronicleKimberley JonesThe film is by no means a disaster. Possession is prettily performed, prettily put-together. Yet, for a story set so firmly in the center of a fire, LaBute and his players have suited themselves in some mighty flame-retardant threads.
- 50San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleSan Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleAn intelligent literary mystery story that holds interest and is intermittently affecting, but it never soars.
- 50Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanThe movie is intelligent yet lifeless; it's all wisps and abstractions.
- 40Village VoiceJ. HobermanVillage VoiceJ. HobermanPossession suffers from insufficient nastiness.
- 20Washington PostStephen HunterWashington PostStephen HunterHow do I hate thee? Let me count the ways.